Cambridgeshire residents have taken to social media to express their outrage at the ‘disgraceful’ use of public money to help build an ice rink on Newmarket Road.

Complaints range from the use of the public purse to fund the building, the slow rate of return, and the prioritisation of the rink above other 'much-needed local amenities'.

Cambridge Leisure and Ice Centre (CLIC), which is behind the project, has spent 20 years looking for an affordable site, and has now secured a £1.85 million loan from South Cambridgeshire City Council to help the building works begin.

Many, however, believe council money would be better spent elsewhere.

Chris Fordham voiced his displeasure on a residents' group in Cambourne, where he took aim at the thought process behind the build.

“I have to express my annoyance and disappointment about South Cambs Council loaning 1.85m pounds for a new energy saving efficient state of the art ice rink," he said.

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“I can't help but think that this pledge of a return of over 25 years is a slow evasive investment that will not help some local residents – such as the elderly or people that cannot drive and have to pay high bus fares to the city centre and back … some areas don't even have a proper post office or lights even zebra crossings near schools.

"Our council tax bill keeps rising every year, no small local businesses can pay the high rates around here and yet we have money to throw around like some low interest rate bank. Maybe some questions need to be asked”.

Mickie Burton agreed, adding: “I was unaware of this use of our taxes. This is an absolute disgrace especially as there is not one public swimming pool in south Cambs.”

Catherine Jane Biggs added: “A pool would be of huge benefit to all of the local schools and community of all ages… Clearly the results of the survey for the Parish Plan are not being used to inform key investment decisions."

Some users pointed out other places the funding could have been spent. Alex Cockbain wrote: “It is a scandal when the majority of children’s centres in the county are being closed due to funding and cutting costs."

News readers weighed in on the debate, with username Brian of Romsey asking: “Why does this venture need a loan from the public purse? If this is a viable business then they can raise finance in the usual way that businesses do. As other posters have suggested, if it isn't viable and fails as a result then it will be us taxpayers who have to foot the bill.”

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Other readers were sceptical of the rink ever being built, and critical of the time taken to start work.

User Loyd wrote: “One of the reasons I moved to Cambridge 20 odd years ago was the promise of an ice rink, iI oved ice skating, if in the very unlikely event it ever gets built I dare not go in case I break a hip at my age, so lucky I was not holding my breath."

For others, though, the problem was not so much to do with the rink but with access. Lauren Claire Woods wrote on Facebook: “How is this going to affect the already super congested Newmarket Rd?”

Many, however, were looking forward to the new rink being built, despite the cost and nine-month build time.

They cited increased tourism as well as job generation as positive outcomes, as well as excitement for the new past-time right on their doorstep.

Do you think the ice rink is a waste of public money or a good investment? Join the discussion in the comment section below.

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